Handwritten Letter from MLK to Dr. Westin

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Abstract

Dr. King writes to decline the invitation of Dr. Alan F. Westin to serve on the Honorary Advisory Board of the Center for Research and Education in American Liberties at Columbia University. He cites the urgent demands on his time by the civil rights movement as his reason.

Transcript

[Page 1]
Dear Dr. Westin,
May I first extend my sincerest apology for not having answered your letter of February 18 sooner. Please know that it is not due to negligence, but [Crossed out: the] that the urgency of my duties as Pres.[ident] of the S.C.L.C. [Southern Christian Leadership Conference] and my over sided schedule [Crossed out: which] often makes it impossible for me to respond to correspondence immediately. I have been hopelessly behind in my mail ever since the Selma campaign and it seems as if [Crossed out: my Sisyphus stone is go get caught up again on my mail. [Inserted text left margin: us if getting caught up [Crossed out: as my mail][Inserted above: out the] has become my Sisyphus stone]
I am grateful for [Crossed out: honored by] the invitation you have presented [Crossed out: extended] to me to serve on the Honorary Advisory Board of the Center of Research and Education in American Liberties. To serve on a board [Crossed out: of] [Inserted: which] such notable figures would indeed be an honor. [Crossed out: But Hower] However, the pressing and urgent demands [Crossed out: upon] by the civil rights movement upon my time continues [Crossed out: in] to increase. My schedule is already full well into next year. Please understand that I regret having unable to avail myself [Crossed out: for] of this opportunity and that I hope my schedule [Crossed out: will] in future months will allow me time to serve in such capacities.
[Closing signature: M.L.K. [Martin Luther King]